Effects of naltrexone on cue-elicited craving for alcohol and cocaine.
This study examined the effects of naltrexone (50 mg/day) on mood and self-reported desire for alcohol and cocaine in 26 patients with comorbid alcohol and cocaine abuse/dependence. Two laboratory sessions were conducted, separated by 1 week. During the sessions, subjects viewed 5-min films containing either cocaine, alcohol, or neutral cues. The first session occurred prior to random assignment to medication group and the second session was held after 1 week of double-blind treatment with either naltrexone or placebo. The cocaine-related film induced a greater desire to use cocaine than the desire for alcohol that was induced by the alcohol-related film. This finding was observed using both a simple, one-item analog scale administered during the films and more complex craving questionnaires administered immediately after the films. Collectively, the alcohol and cocaine-related films evoked greater levels of self-reported anxiety and elation, and lower levels of concentration, than the neutral film. Naltrexone did not differ from placebo in reducing the desire to use either cocaine or alcohol.
Modesto-Lowe
V
V
Alcohol Research Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA.
Burleson
J A
JA
Hersh
D
D
Bauer
L O
LO
Kranzler
H R
HR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone